NEW DELHI (INDIA) – India has decided to retain its ban on video app TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps following a review of responses from the companies on issues, which includes compliance and privacy, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told on Tuesday.
A government panel looking into the app ban decided, after a review of the responses, that there will be no change in the country’s stance for now as the ban was imposed, prioritising India’s national security and sovereignty, one source said.
The source said that the government has sent notices to the companies informing them of its decision.
It was not immediately clear how long the ban would be in place. The Times of India newspaper reported late on Monday that the ban is going to be permanent.
India’s IT ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
TikTok said in a statement it is closely analysing the notice and will respond to it.
It said, “We continually strive to comply with local laws and regulations and do our best to address any concerns the government may have. Ensuring the privacy and security of all our users remains to be our topmost priority.”
UC Web declined to comment.
The extension of the ban comes days after Indian and Chinese troops were entangled in a “minor face-off” over a disputed stretch of their shared border in the eastern Himalayas.
The ministry’s June order stated that the apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”. It followed a skirmish with Chinese troops at a disputed Himalayan border site when 20 Indian soldiers were killed.
The 118 apps continue to be banned and no decision has been reached on them as yet.